I understand. Sorry for the loss of your friend.

What I don't get is if this person is visually impaired, why didn't he carry some kind of satellite locator item? Yes, some work better than others, but there's choices. And it seems like his habits are to go off trail...all the more reason for something to aid his sense of direction. Like I said earlier, even a plain map and compass would have helped him, unless he physically couldn't get out. People get slack on the AT thinking that it's such a well-marked trail, what could possibly happen?